1 A2 informal
To move past someone or something at very high speed
"A sports car zoomed by so fast that I barely saw it."
inseparable
zoom by
B1 informal inseparable intransitive
To pass by very quickly, either of a physical object or of time
In plain English
When something goes past you really fast, or when time seems to pass very quickly
What does "zoom by" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic informal
To seem to pass very quickly — used about time
"The summer holiday zoomed by and suddenly it was the first day of school again."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move by (past) at a zooming (very fast) speed
Actually means
When something goes past you really fast, or when time seems to pass very quickly
Usage tip
Common in everyday informal English. 'Zoom' is onomatopoeic — it suggests the sound of something moving fast. Can describe vehicles, people, or time passing quickly.
Words that pair with "zoom by"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
car motorbike time weeks months cyclist
How to conjugate "zoom by"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
zoom by
I/you/we/they
3rd person
zooms by
he/she/it
Past simple
zoomed by
yesterday
Past participle
zoomed by
have + pp
-ing form
zooming by
continuous
Hear "zoom by" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "zoom by" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "zoom by"
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Keep exploring
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